Moran promotes renewable sources

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran on Tuesday counted terrorism among top reasons for the United States to increase its thrust toward renewable energy.

"This is no longer just about economic development," said the five-term congressman, who said his first exposure to alternative energy came from farmers in his district seeking new income sources from crops.

Through its dependence on foreign oil, America is funding its own opposition among terrorists living in the Middle East, Moran said during a news conference Tuesday. That is what happens, he said, when this country pumps "billions of dollars" into countries with terrorist organizations.

"My common sense tells me that is taking place," he said. "Our dependence, in my opinion, is affecting our national security."

Moran hopes to drum up support for a nonbinding resolution in Congress that calls for 25 percent of the nation's energy supply to come from renewable sources by the year 2025. Currently, only 3 percent to 4 percent of the U.S.'s energy is renewable.

As gas prices have shot skyward during the past year, 14 governors, including Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, have endorsed the concept. So have four state legislatures, including Kansas'.

The proposal -- which currently has more to do with setting the goal than establishing how to reach it -- is backed by Energy Future Coalition, a group of business, labor and environmental organizations. It seeks to bolster renewable energy production through wind, solar, biogas and biomass.

"This is really a grass-roots effort," said Moran, who was a co-sponsor of the federal legislation.

Currently, seven ethanol production plants are operating in Kansas. Meanwhile, seven biodiesel plants are in the works around the state, said Sen. Mark Taddiken, R-Clifton and chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

"We need a new vision of our national energy policies," he said.

Moran said one proposal to help bolster demand for fuel that is 85 percent ethanol, or E85, would provide incentives to stations that add E85 pumps. Kansas only has about a dozen E85 stations.

The House has passed a bill to offer incentives to market the fuel. It is pending in the Senate, Moran said.

Chris Moon can be reached at (785) 233-7470 or chris.moon@cjonline.com.